Joshua 2:2

KJV

And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it was told {H559} the king {H4428} of Jericho {H3405}, saying {H559}, Behold, there came {H935} men {H582} in hither to night {H3915} of the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} to search out {H2658} the country {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The king of Yericho was told about it - "Tonight some men from Isra'el came here to reconnoiter the land."

Berean Standard Bible

And it was reported to the king of Jericho: “Behold, some men of Israel have come here tonight to spy out the land.”

American Standard Version

And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to-night of the children of Israel to search out the land.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 2:2 reveals the immediate discovery of the Israelite spies by the king of Jericho, a pivotal moment that injects tension into the narrative and underscores the city's vigilance against the approaching invaders. This swift report sets the stage for the dramatic intervention of Rahab, highlighting the perilous nature of the reconnaissance mission and the divine orchestration at play even amidst human opposition and strategic maneuvers in the unfolding conquest of Canaan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse directly follows [Joshua 2:1](/joshua/2-1 "Joshua sends spies to Jericho"), where Joshua, demonstrating practical leadership, dispatches two men from Shittim to "view the country, even Jericho." The immediate report to the king in [Joshua 2:2](/joshua/2-2 "Spies discovered by the King of Jericho") establishes the high stakes and the formidable intelligence network within Jericho. The narrative then swiftly transitions to [Joshua 2:3](/joshua/2-3 "King of Jericho demands the spies"), where the king demands the spies' surrender, leading directly to Rahab's courageous act of concealment. This sequence of events is crucial, as it introduces Rahab, a key figure in the subsequent fall of Jericho and a testament to God's ability to work through unexpected individuals, even those outside the covenant community. The entire chapter functions as a prelude to the crossing of the Jordan and the initial assault on Canaan, contrasting sharply with the earlier, faithless spying mission in [Numbers 13](/numbers/13 "The Spies Sent to Canaan"), which resulted in forty years of wilderness wandering due to unbelief.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jericho was one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world, strategically located near a perennial spring at a key crossroads, making it a formidable stronghold guarding the eastern approach to central Canaan. Its walls were renowned for their strength, as archaeological evidence suggests a double-wall system. In the ancient Near East, city-states maintained sophisticated intelligence networks to protect against invaders, and the king's immediate awareness of foreign presence, especially from a known hostile group like the Israelites, was typical and expected. The mention of "men...of the children of Israel" indicates that the spies' identity was either known or strongly suspected, possibly due to their appearance, language, or the general atmosphere of fear and anticipation surrounding Israel's advance. The king's authority was absolute, and his command to "search out the country" (as reported to him) would have been taken seriously by his subjects, underscoring the immediate danger faced by the spies.

* **Key Themes:** Joshua 2:2 contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Joshua. Firstly, it highlights **Vigilance and Awareness** on the part of the enemy, demonstrating that the conquest would not be without opposition or strategic challenges. The king's swift knowledge of the spies underscores the formidable nature of the Canaanite resistance. Secondly, it subtly introduces the theme of **Divine Sovereignty Amidst Human Action**. While Joshua takes practical, human steps by sending spies, God's plan is ultimately sovereign and works through, and often despite, human efforts and obstacles. Even the enemy's awareness serves to set the stage for the miraculous nature of Jericho's eventual fall, as depicted in [Joshua 6:20](/joshua/6-20 "The Fall of Jericho's Walls"). Thirdly, this incident marks the **Beginning of Conquest**, transitioning Israel from a wandering people to an active invading force. It's the first direct intelligence gathering and confrontation, signaling the shift from preparation to execution of God's command to take the land, as outlined in [Joshua 1:2-9](/joshua/1-2 "God's Charge to Joshua").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **told (Hebrew, _wayyuggad'_):** This is the Hophal imperfect form of the verb נָגַד (*nagad*), meaning "to tell, report, declare." The Hophal stem indicates a passive causation, meaning "it was caused to be told" or "it was reported." The use of this passive voice emphasizes that the information reached the king not through his direct action but through his existing intelligence network, highlighting the efficiency and vigilance of Jericho's defenses. The immediacy implied by the *waw* consecutive adds to the tension, indicating a rapid dissemination of critical information.
* **search out (Hebrew, _latur'_):** This is the infinitive construct of the verb תּוּר (*tur*), meaning "to explore, reconnoiter, spy out, search thoroughly." Unlike a casual glance, *tur* implies a deliberate, investigative purpose, often with hostile or strategic intent. It's the same verb used in [Numbers 13:16](/numbers/13-16 "Moses sends spies") for the earlier spying mission. The king's report accurately identifies the spies' objective, underscoring the threat they posed to the city.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it was told the king of Jericho":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the central conflict: the spies' presence has been discovered by the highest authority in the city. The passive voice ("it was told") suggests an established intelligence network within Jericho, indicating the city's alertness and its fear of the approaching Israelites. This swift discovery creates immediate tension and highlights the perilous situation of the spies.
* **"saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night":** This clause provides the specific content of the report. The interjection "Behold" (הִנֵּה, *hinneh*) draws attention to the urgency and significance of the news. The detail "to night" specifies the timing of the spies' entry, indicating that their movements were observed shortly after their arrival under the cover of darkness, further emphasizing the vigilance of Jericho's watchmen.
* **"of the children of Israel to search out the country":** This final part of the report identifies the intruders and their purpose. The phrase "of the children of Israel" confirms the spies' identity, indicating that the king and his informants understood the larger geopolitical context of Israel's impending invasion. Their mission, "to search out the country," is correctly identified as reconnaissance, confirming the hostile intent and the strategic nature of their presence.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Suspense** by immediately revealing the discovery of the spies, creating an urgent sense of danger for Joshua's men. This swift revelation also utilizes **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the challenges and divine interventions that will be necessary for the conquest of Jericho. There is an element of **Dramatic Irony** as the king believes he is taking decisive action to thwart the Israelite threat, yet his very actions (demanding the spies) will inadvertently lead to Rahab's intervention, which ultimately serves God's larger plan for the city's downfall. The efficient intelligence network of Jericho, highlighted by the passive "it was told," also serves as a point of **Contrast** with the seemingly insurmountable defenses of the city, which will later fall not by human might but by divine power, emphasizing God's ultimate sovereignty over human vigilance and strength.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 2:2 serves as a powerful reminder that even when God's people are engaged in His work, they will encounter opposition and vigilant adversaries. The king of Jericho's immediate awareness of the spies underscores the reality of spiritual warfare, where the "enemy" is often alert to the movements and intentions of God's kingdom. Yet, this verse also subtly introduces the theme of divine sovereignty working through human circumstances. The discovery of the spies, rather than thwarting God's plan, becomes the very catalyst for Rahab's crucial intervention, demonstrating how God can use unexpected individuals and seemingly negative events to advance His purposes. This narrative highlights that God's plan is not contingent on perfect human execution or the absence of opposition, but rather unfolds through and often in spite of such challenges, ultimately revealing His power and faithfulness.

* [Proverbs 21:30](/proverbs/21-30 "No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the Lord.")
* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalm/33-10 "The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "God works all things for good for those who love him.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The immediate discovery of the spies in Joshua 2:2 offers a profound lesson for believers today. Just as the king of Jericho was vigilant against an external threat, so too is our spiritual adversary, the devil, constantly alert to our movements and intentions. We are called to be "sober-minded; be watchful" (as [1 Peter 5:8](/1_peter/5-8 "Be sober-minded; be watchful") exhorts), recognizing that our spiritual journey is not without opposition. Yet, this verse also provides immense encouragement: even when our plans are exposed, or we face seemingly insurmountable obstacles and vigilant enemies, God remains sovereign. His purposes will prevail, often through unexpected means and individuals (like Rahab). Our task is to remain faithful to our mission, trusting that God will orchestrate events, even the awareness of our adversaries, for His ultimate glory and the advancement of His kingdom. This narrative encourages us to press on in faith, knowing that divine providence is at work, turning potential setbacks into opportunities for God's power to be displayed.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the king of Jericho's immediate awareness of the spies parallel the vigilance of spiritual adversaries in our lives today?**
* **In what ways might God use unexpected "discoveries" or opposition in our lives to bring about His greater purposes, just as He did with Rahab?**
* **What does Joshua 2:2 teach us about the balance between strategic planning (Joshua sending spies) and reliance on divine sovereignty in our endeavors?**

### FAQ
**Was it common for ancient cities like Jericho to have such an efficient intelligence network?**

Answer: Yes, it was very common and indeed crucial for survival in the ancient Near East. City-states like Jericho, often situated at strategic crossroads, maintained vigilant watchmen on their walls and internal intelligence systems to detect foreign infiltrators, spies, or approaching armies. The immediate report to the king in [Joshua 2:2](/joshua/2-2 "Spies discovered by the King of Jericho") reflects a standard defensive posture. Any unknown individuals entering a fortified city, especially at night, would have been immediately suspect, particularly given the widespread knowledge of Israel's advance and their recent victories. This vigilance underscores the danger the spies faced and highlights the formidable nature of the cities Israel was about to confront.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 2:2, with its depiction of spies sent into enemy territory and their immediate discovery, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and mission of Jesus. Just as Joshua sent men to "search out the country" of Jericho, so God the Father sent His Son, Jesus, into the "country" of a world hostile and enslaved by sin, as described in [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "God so loved the world"). Jesus, the ultimate "spy" and redeemer, entered enemy territory—the domain of darkness—not to gather intelligence for a military conquest, but to secure salvation and liberation for humanity. His presence was also immediately "told" and recognized by the spiritual "king of this world" ([John 12:31](/john/12-31 "The ruler of this world will be cast out")) and his earthly agents, who sought to capture and destroy Him, as seen in the plots of the Pharisees and Herod ([Matthew 2:13-16](/matthew/2-13 "Herod seeks to kill Jesus") and [Matthew 26:3-4](/matthew/26-3 "The plot against Jesus")). Yet, just as the king of Jericho's vigilance ultimately served God's plan for Rahab's salvation and the city's fall, so too did the opposition Jesus faced, culminating in His crucifixion, become the very means by which He triumphed over sin, death, and the powers of darkness ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Christ's triumph over spiritual powers")). His "reconnaissance" mission was not for information, but for redemption, securing a spiritual "Promised Land" for all who believe, a new covenant established through His blood ([Hebrews 9:15](/hebrews/9-15 "Christ is the mediator of a new covenant")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Daniel 4:35

And all the inhabitants of the earth [are] reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and [among] the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

Proverbs 21:30

¶ [There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

Isaiah 43:13

Yea, before the day [was] I [am] he; and [there is] none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?

Psalms 127:1

¶ A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh [but] in vain.